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The definitive issue on Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga...
The definitive issue on Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga...
Item # 703438
December 12, 1777
THE GAZETTEER & NEW DAILY ADVERTISER, London, Dec. 12, 1777 This is the definitive issue on the historic surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga, the event which when learned in Europe encouraged further support for the American cause among the French & others.
Over half of the front page and part of page 2 are taken up a very lengthy and detailed letter signed in type: J. Burgoyne, this being his account of the actions leading up to and after the battle at Saratoga which caused his surrender. This letter is datelined at Albany, Oct. 20 and was written to Lord George Germaine. Within the letter Burgoyne goes in to a day-by-day account of his actions in the vicinity beginning with September 15. Still on the front page is his report for the date of October 7, the day of the battle.
A portion of this report includes: "..judged advisable to make movement to the enemy's left...A detachment of 1500 regular troops...were ordered to move...I formed the troops within three quarters of a mile of the enemy's left...further operations intended were prevented by a very sudden and rapid attack of the enemy on our left..." with more on this report carrying over to page 2 with: "...The danger to which the lines were exposed being at this moment of the most serious nature...The troops had scarcely entered the camp when it was stormed with great fury, the enemy rushing to the lines under a severe fire of grape-shot & small arms...Under the disadvantages thus apparent in our situation, the army was ordered to quit the present position during the night..." with a bit more.
What followed are reports of the following days, the letters exchanged between the camps of Burgoyne and General Gates to set terms & conditions of surrender, including: "Major General Gates' Proposals: together with Lieutenant General Burgoyne's Answer", signed in type: Horatio Gates. This is followed by: Lieutenant-General Burgoyne's Proposals together with Major-General Gates' Answers", then a few more exchanges between the two signed in type: Horatio Gates and J. Burgoyne.
Following all this are the: "Articles of Convention between Lieutenant-General Burgoyne and Major-General Gates" being the actual terms of surrender noting all 14 Articles, the first beginning: "The troops under...Burgoyne to march out of their camp with the honours of war...The arms to be piled by word of command from their own officer." and Article 2 noting: "A free passage to be granted to the army under...Burgoyne to Great Britain on condition of not serving again in North America..." with much, much more in the other Articles, all dated: "Camp at Saratoga, Oct. 16, 1777" and signed in type: Horatio Gates, Major General.
This is then followed by the "Minutes of a council of War held on the Heights of Saratoga, October 123th, 1777" which is quite lengthy, and also includes the list of killed, wounded & taken prisoner, signed in type: J. Burgoyne.
A very detailed report of a turning point in the Revolutionary War.
Four pages, very nice condition.
Category: Revolutionary War
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